Prehistoric Settlements

Photo: Walkhampton Enclosed Settlement

There are numerous prehistoric settlements on Dartmoor too many to give complete listings. Some of the larger enclosed settlements were added to the database along with some settlements that specifically feature on some of the walks on this website. The main source for the list of enclosed settlements are those that feature in Petit's Prehistoric Dartmoor. This listing has been added to make the database entries for settlements easy to see in one place.

Listing of some of the Prehistoric Settlements on Dartmoor

About the Database Listings

Details of archaeological sites used to be kept in the Sites and Monuments Records (SMRs). These are now held in National Monument Records (NMRs) maintained by English Heritage although these in turn are being merged into Historic Environment Records (HERs). The NMRs contains details of the site and will often include field notes, a limited bibliography and other useful information. Another rich source of such information is Bill Radcliffe's Prehistoric Monuments of Dartmoor (PMD) website. The records below were compiled independently from books and journals and then matched to the NMR records and then cross-referenced with any corresponding PMD records to ensure accuracy. Each record has a link to corresponding NMR and PMD records, a link to the location on the Ordnance Survey map, a photo (if available) and a link to relevant coverage on Prehistoric Dartmoor Walks and a link giving a listing of nearby sites. The HER records are not included as they do not yet have much information but they can be looked up via the PMD records. The author would like to thank Bill Radcliffe for the helpful correspondence whilst checking records. See also: Database and Web Search Tools

OS Map:SX 63540 79930NMR record:SX 68 SW 11HER record:6800Megalithic Portal:26043Short Name: ES:BroadunNotes: "An enclosed settlement, maximum dimensions 300m NE/SW by 250m NW/SE, giving an area of 6ha. Enclosure cut through on SE by a leat, but wall still visible. Inside are 36 huts, and a further 3 outside. Condition of huts mainly poor. Average internal diameter is 3.7m: the largest is 13m by 10.5m, the smallest 2.5m. The enclosure wall appears contemporary with or later than the huts. The interior of the enclosure appears to have been cleared."Nearby sites:SX63547993

OS Map:SX 64080 65390NMR record:SX 66 NW 47HER record:5135Megalithic Portal:14936Short Name: ES:Brown HeathDPD: 74Notes: "A fine example of an enclosure. The walling consisting of very large stones reaching a height of one metre. It contains three hut circles and a number of courts situated mainly on its north and western sides. There is no obvious entrance." Lethbridge p. 74, diagram p.71. Hook Lake on Megalithic Portal.Nearby sites:SX64086539

Prehistoric Dartmoor Walks:Dartmoor Walk: The Neolithic tombs of Cuckoo Ball & Corringdon BallOS Map:SX 66012 58573NMR record:SX 65 NE 4HER record:2886Megalithic Portal:31698PMD:Butterdon Long CairnAlternate name: Butterdon Hill chambered cairn Chambered TombShort Name: NT:ButterdonButler map: 53.15Butler Vol 5: p.155Grinsell: A:UGB 2Dimensions (m): 25.0 x 13.0 x 0.9Notes: "The mound is situated on a slight south-east slope at 1050 ft O.D. It is 25 metres long, orientated north-south, is 16.0 metres wide and 0.9 metre high at the north end and 10.0 metres wide and 0.7 metre high at the south end. There are no visible side ditches. The construction is of earth and small stones but extensive pillaging and/or excavation has exposed a number of large upright and some displaced stones. The mound is certainly a long barrow."Nearby sites:SX66015857

Prehistoric Dartmoor Walks:Dartmoor Site: Corringdon Ball Chambered Tomb & Stone RowsOS Map:SX 66956 61300NMR record:SX 66 SE 45HER record:5750Megalithic Portal:4619PMD:Corringdon Ball Chambered CairnAlternate name: Corringdon Ball chambered tomb Chambered TombShort Name: NT:CorringdonButler map: 56.10Butler Vol 5: p.155Grinsell: A:BRE 1DPD: 83Barrow Report:28 66 Dimensions (m): 42 x 18 x 2.4Notes: Grinsell SOUTH BRENT 1. "An earthen long barrow with a ruined stone chamber at the south east end. Early excavation and mutilation has resulted in two distinct mounds, the larger one at the south east end separated from the smaller by a path or trackway. The smaller mound appears to mark the limit of the barrow on the northwest; beyond this it merges into the natural hill-side. There are no side ditches but these may be obscured by soil washed down from the hill. The length is 42.0 m; the maximum width is 18.0m and the maximum height of 2.4m."Nearby sites:SX66966130

OS Map:SX 67760 65450NMR record:SX 66 NE 19HER record:14799Megalithic Portal:45324Short Name: ES:Dean MoorNotes: Enclosed settlement on Dean Moor, excavated between 1954 and 1956, prior to construction of the reservoir. Prehistoric walled enclosure containing at least 13 huts together with pens. Parallels have been drawn with the settlement at Kestor. Part of the prehistoric settlement was incorporated into a medieval farmstead (see HER record 14221). Part of site now flooded by Avon Reservoir.Nearby sites:SX67766545

Prehistoric Dartmoor Walks:Dartmoor Site: Drizzlecombe Ceremonial Complex (Photos 1)OS Map:SX 59340 67140NMR record:SX 56 NE 90HER record:4046Megalithic Portal:10509Short Name: ES:DrizzleButler map: 49.19DPD: 39Notes: "The drizzlecombe pound (diam (max 67m, min 64m), thic of wall (max 1.52m, min 1.37m), area 0.3ha) is not circular as there is a considerable length of straight wall on the sw. The wall is much ruined in parts. An inner lining of slabs is still visible on the nw side. Mean elevation of ground is 366m od ground slopes to sw with mean gradient of 1 in 7. A cairn lies a few yards outside the pound wall, two hut circles within the enclosure. The entrance is in the west wall". Lethbridge pp.38-42, diagram p.38.Nearby sites:SX59346714

Prehistoric Dartmoor Walks:Dartmoor Site: Dunnabridge PoundOS Map:SX 64620 74650NMR record:SX 67 SW 22HER record:6272Megalithic Portal:10635PMD:Dunnabridge PoundShort Name: PD:DunnabridgeNotes: Dunnabridge Pound probably has its origins in the prehistoric period as evidenced by the slight traces of hut circles within it. The pound underwent reconstruction in the medieval period and was used in the drifts to hold cattle found illegally pasturing on the moors. It was from this usage that the Judge's Chair got its name. "It occupies 0.9ha on a slight S slope, and is of rather oval form with greatest diameters of 110m by 122m. It is enclosed by a drystone wall 1.9m high and about 1m thick at the base, tapering towards the top. The material is mostly medium size moor stones with some large blocks and upright slabs incorporated at the base. The uneven interior is slightly raised at the southern perimeter and cut into the slope on the north, accompanied by a spread of stones, 1.5m long and 0.3m high, extending from the inner face and up to 0.6m high. The only entrance to be seen is the gated one on the S." See also, Legendary Dartmoor: Dunnabridge PoundNearby sites:SX64627465

Prehistoric Dartmoor Walks:Dartmoor Site: Grimspound Enclosed SettlementOS Map:SX 70070 80840NMR record:SX 78 SW 11HER record:8778Megalithic Portal:1344141065Short Name: ES:GrimspoundDPD: 127Notes: Probabaly the best known enclosed settlement on Dartmoor, within walking distance of Warren House Inn. "Prehistoric enclosed settlement with a substantial granite surrounding wall, containing 24 hut circles, as well as several 'pens' built into the enclosure wall, positioned in a valley between Hookney Tor and Hameldon. First planned by A. C. Shillibeer in 1829, this site was excavated by the Dartmoor Exploration Committee in 1894-5. Within the guardianship area managed by Dartmoor National Park Authority". Extensive notes in the NMR record, see also coverage on Wikipedia and Legendary Dartmoor.Nearby sites:SX70078084

OS Map:SX 59118 69478NMR record:SX 56 NE 30HER record:3435Megalithic Portal:27901Short Name: ES:Down TorButler map: 47.7DPD: 29Notes: "Hingston hill pound, east of down tor, is a circular enclosure whose wall consists of large stones. Entrance is marked by a slab like stone which extends through the thickness of a wall. About 100m from the pound in a direction 15 s of e lies the centre of a cairn, c.18m in diameter at the base. The down tor stone row points to this cairn (Worth)". Lethbridge pp.27-29, diagram p.27. Listed as Narrator Brookhead Enclosure on Megalithic Portal.

Prehistoric Dartmoor Walks:Dartmoor Site: Legis Tor SettlementsOS Map:SX 56930 65270NMR record:SX 56 NE 69HER record:3979Megalithic Portal:34065Short Name: PD:Legis PoundDPD: 37Notes: "A field system containing 13 hut circles occupies an area of 6ha on the lower S and SW flanks of Legis Tor. The field system is best preserved on the S where five irregular, adjoining enclosures contain all but one of the huts. These enclosures vary between 0.1ha and 0.6ha and lie in an area of often dense clitter. Several of the enclosures are further sub-divided."Nearby sites:SX56936527

Prehistoric Dartmoor Walks:Dartmoor Walk: The Neolithic tombs of Cuckoo Ball & Corringdon BallOS Map:SX 64370 60480NMR record:SX 66 SW 53HER record:4354Megalithic Portal:45580Short Name: ES:Lower PilesNotes: "Within the newtake known as lower piles. A group of seven huts near the south east corner of the enclosed land. All now composed of fairly small stones the walls appearing as thick banks of stone and turf, not high, but spreading to a width of 1.8m or more. The diameters vary from c 9.20 to c 12.20m outside measurements. Only one hut has a well defined entrance, this is on the south east side of the circle."Nearby sites:SX64376048

Prehistoric Dartmoor Walks:Dartmoor Walk: Sharpitor area Stone Rows and CistsOS Map:SX 57650 71470NMR record:SX 57 SE 36HER record:3748Megalithic Portal:36404Short Name: ES:RaddickHillDPD: 26Notes: "A Bronze Age enclosed hut circle settlement. The remains lie on a northerly hillslope and now comprise a D-shaped enclosure wall of boulders and stones containing about twelve hut circles. A small D-shaped enclosure is attached to the uphill south-east side. The northern part of the settlement has been effaced by a tinner's cliff, part of the Hart Tor Brook streamworks. This well preserved settlement now lies under low bilberry bushes."Nearby sites:SX57657147

OS Map:SX 62320 63540NMR record:SX 66 SW 102HER record:43608Megalithic Portal:45574Short Name: ES:Ranny BrookNotes: An enclosure of earth and stone walling 0.5m wide by 0.4m high encompasses an oval area 18.0m by 16.0m. It lies on the South facing slope to the North of Ranny Brook. Scheduled: Devon 10853.Nearby sites:SX62326354

OS Map:SX 67870 64360NMR record:SX 66 SE 2HER record:5767Megalithic Portal:45321Short Name: ES:RidersRingsDPD: 85Notes: "The largest and most important pound in the Avon Valley. Situated on the eastern slope of Zeal Plains. It is best regarded as being two contiguous pounds, of which it would appear that the south west member was constructed first, while the north east member was added as a later extension. The two pounds together cover an area of over six acres and enclose some three dozen hut-circles". Lethbridge p.85Nearby sites:SX67876436

Prehistoric Dartmoor Walks:Dartmoor Walk: Sharpitor area Stone Rows and CistsOS Map:SX 55250 71720NMR record:SX 57 SE 53HER record:3775Megalithic Portal:45578Short Name: ES:Routrundl SNotes: Routrundle South Pound: "A roughly oval field with diameters of 58.0 metres by 64.0 metres and a modern perimeter wall 1.5 metres high. There are no obvious footings of a previous wall but the plan and size (0.25 hectares) suggest that it is the fossilization of a prehistoric enclosure similar to that 250 metres to the north-east."Nearby sites:SX55257172

OS Map:SX 66679 59981NMR record:SX 65 NE 14HER record:2913Megalithic Portal:45573Short Name: ES:Scad BrookDPD: 81Notes: Sub-circular enclosure approximately 1.25 hectares in area containing eleven hut circles ranging from 3.5 metres to 10 metres in diameter, with entrances facing south-east and many of the walls standing up to a metre high. The most complete hut has been excavated and re-instated with walls faced with orthostats and an entrance with jambs. Lethbridge p.81Nearby sites:SX66685998

OS Map:SX 59360 66290NMR record:SX 56 NE 97HER record:3344Megalithic Portal:45576Short Name: ES:ShavercombeNotes: "Shavercombe pound is not circular. There is no hut circle within the pound. It is one of two main enclosures in a scheduled area which also includes three isolated hut circles. The fence or wall consisted of granite with large stones in the bottom courses. There are many long stones like broad gateposts laid lengthwise along both faces of the wall and filled between in the centre with small stones. The upper part was probably similarly faced with smaller blocks."Nearby sites:SX59366629

OS Map:SX 64000 82870NMR record:SX 68 SW 2HER record:6754Megalithic Portal:23218Short Name: PD:SittafordNotes: "An oval enclosure lying within Great Stannon Newtake. It is defined by a 4.5m wide and 1.2m high rubble bank surrounding an internal area measuring 53.5m east to west by 39m north to south. An 8.3 metre wide entrance gap on the eastern side by a stony mound. The considerable size of the bank combined with its proximity to a number of ritual monuments within Great Stannon Newtake strongly supports that this enclosure is much more likely to have been used for ritual than domestic purposes and it has consequently been identified as a henge."Nearby sites:SX64008287

Prehistoric Dartmoor Walks:Dartmoor Site: Spinsters' RockOS Map:SX 70098 90789NMR record:SX 79 SW 1HER record:8440Megalithic Portal:149PMD:Spinsters RockShort Name: NT:SpinstersButler Vol 5: p.155Grinsell: A:DREW 1DPD: 150Notes: Chambered tomb restored in 1862. No evidence to confirm or deny the existence of an original mound survives. The remains of the chamber consist of three granite orthostats 6 to 9 1/2 feet high which support a large capstone 14 1/2 feet long by 10 feet wide. No trace of any mound survives. It is associated with the nearby stones thought to have been circles and alignments (SX 69 SE 25) (see Shilstone Common & Spinster's Rock page).Nearby sites:SX70109079

Prehistoric Dartmoor Walks:Dartmoor Site: Trowlesworthy, Settlements, Stone Row & Cairn CircleOS Map:SX 57500 64450NMR record:SX 56 SE 13HER record:2507Megalithic Portal:34075Short Name: ES:Trowles SNotes: "A sub-circular enclosure about 150 paces in diameter situated on the western slope of Trowlesworthy Tor, the wall unbroken except for entrances on the north and south sides. Inside the southern entrance is a hut circle. The structures at the two entrances are vermin traps, these and the square chamber having been built by warreners"Nearby sites:SX57506445

Prehistoric Dartmoor Walks:Dartmoor Site: Walkhampton and Yes Tor Bottom SettlementsOS Map:SX 56740 72860NMR record:SX 57 SE 41HER record:4964Megalithic Portal:45325Short Name: ES:WalkhamptonNotes: "Hut circles 550m s of foggintor quarries. A very fine settlement, set within a well built and substantial enclosure wall, enclosing an area of some 1.0ha. Five hut circles occur within the enclosure varying between 6-10m in diam ... Outside the enclosure to the w are five further huts of similar dimensions - again one of these shows sign of alteration. Under moorland grass." The site was excavated in 1897 by Burnard and Baring-Gould.Nearby sites:SX56747286

OS Map:SX 62000 63550NMR record:SX 66 SW 30HER record:4273Megalithic Portal:45575Short Name: ES:Yealm StepsNotes: "A fine example of enclosure and hut circles. Extensive prehistoric settlement area. Two villages contiguous, the larger pound a development of the smaller. Pound walls and those of huts consist of stone and turf. At least 22 huts within the enclosure. To the north and south of the pounds are scatters of isolated huts generally much larger than the enclosed huts. On the south there are remains of fields or paddocks. Rough moorland."Nearby sites:SX62006355